| Finally, Govt appoints NREGA ombudsmen | | ET Impact | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 19: After a long wait of almost 10 years, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has appointed around 10 NREGA ombudsmen, one each for two districts of the state.
The duty of the ombudsman is to hear complaints about NREGA malpractices and grievance redressal. Early Times filed more than half a dozen reports on this issue in last five years.
As reported already, the government in December 2013 had planned to appoint ombudsmen at various places in the state for hearing complaints regarding implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MG-NREGA) scheme.
But after a lapse of around five years, the appointments have been made by J&K Rural Development Department. Order in this regard was issued few days back, say sources.
On December 26, 2013, Early Times had carried an exclusive story on absence of NREGA Lok Pal (ombudsman) which is affecting the implementation of this centrally sponsored scheme. After the report appeared, the Rural Development Department issued an advertisement notice on December 30, 2013 regarding appointment of ombudsmen and subsequently applications were sought from the eligible candidates.
"The NC-led government, during 2013, was planning to appoint one NREGA ombudsman for three to four districts while as Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India's guidelines had made it clear through its notification that one ombudsman (Lok Pal) has to be appointed in each district.
Neither did the government appoint one ombudsman for three districts nor each one for a single district from all these five years. "We congratulate government for making these appointments and hope all the appointees are not political favourites," said Farooq Kuthoo, spokesman of J&K RTI Movement.
As of now if people have to complain against irregularities in NREGA works, they file the same before BDO or ADC. But these officials in many cases are themselves involved in the game. With the appointment of ombudsmen people can complain to them regarding irregularities in NREGA works.
As per the notification passed by the Ministry of Rural Development under order No: J-111011/21/2008-NREGA, dated September 7, 2009, all the state governments were supposed to set up the office of the ombudsman in all the districts within three months of the issuance of the order. Till date J&K has not at all abided by the order.
The state government, in particular the Department of Rural Development, has already been under fire from government of India for its failure in not curbing the corruption and the non-appointment of ombudsmen in J&K. The ombudsman shall have the powers to receive complaints related to MGNREGA, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal. In certain cases, the ombudsman can issue direction for conducting spot investigation and to lodge FIRs against the erring parties. He can initiate proceedings suo motu in the event of any circumstance arising within his jurisdiction that may cause any grievance and engage experts for facilitating the disposal of the complaint, direct redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions. The ombudsman will report his findings to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary, State Nodal Department for appropriate legal action against erring persons.
To be continued .... |
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